Lisa Brennauer's powers of endurance won out in the elite women’s time trial at the world championships in Ponferrada as the German scorched through the final five miles to claim a decisive victory in what was shaping up to be remarkably close-fought race.

Just over two seconds separated the top five riders at the first time check after 12 kilometres and the top three were all still within five seconds of one another at the second split at the 21km mark. Down the stretch, however, Brennauer simply went into overdrive to claim the rainbow jersey, 18 seconds clear of Anna Solovey (Ukraine) and 21 ahead of Evelyn Stevens (USA).

At 29 kilometres, this was the longest women’s time trial since the inaugural event in Sicily twenty years ago, and some seven kilometres longer than last year’s contest in Florence. Brennauer, who was lying fifth at the first check, must have viewed that extra distance as something of an ace up her sleeve.

By contrast, the extra distance seemed to take its toll on defending champion and pre-race favourite Ellen van Dijk. The Dutchwoman was the last rider off and just under a second off the pace at the first time check, but she faded over the second half of the course to finish a disappointed 7th, 1:11 down on Brennauer.

The fastest through the first two time checks was Anna Solovey, who tested positive for an anabolic steroid at the age of just 19, but returned after a two-year ban to claim the European under-23 time trial last season. The Ukrainian stopped the clock in 39:06 to move into the hot seat ahead of the early pace-setter Mieke Kröger (Germany) and it appeared as though an upset might be on the cards.

Read more @ www.cyclingnews.com/races/uci-road-world-championships-2014/womens-elite-individual-time-trial/results